No abstract available.
Acne Vulgaris* ; Rabbits*

BACKGROUND: Alexithymia refers to a specific disturbance in psychic functioning characterized by difficulties in capacity to verbalize affect and to elaborate fantasies. Although initially described in the context of psychosomatic illness, alexithymic characteristics may be observed in patients with a wide range of medical and psychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVE: The present study was to evaluate the relationship between the alexithymia and bronchial asthma, and to compare the results with finding from a group of acute infectious illness subjects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Alexithymia was measured with on Korean translation of the TAS-20 (Toronto Alexithymic Scale-20 Korea version) and the Scored Archetypal 9 Test(SAT9). Thirty patients with bronchial asthma and thirty patients with acute infectious illness completed these tests. The SAT9 and the TAS-20K scores were compared in the both group, considering the age, gender, education level, and duration of illness. RESULT: Bronchial asthma patients had significantly higher score of on the TAS-20K and SAT9 compared with those with infectious illness(p<0.05). The two scales correlated in expected direction. Alexithymia was significantly related to education level(SAT9: r=0.335, TAS-20K: r=-0.376, p<0.01) and duration of illness(asthma group, SAT9: r=-0.383, TAS-20K: r=0.288, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Bronchial asthma patients had significantly higher alexithymic scores. This finding suggests that psycliathic consultation may be considered for the management of asthmatic patients with alexithyria.
Affective Symptoms* ; Asthma* ; Education ; Fantasy ; Humans ; Korea ; Weights and Measures

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between self-efficacy and self-care of hemodialysis patients. The subjects consisted of 140 hemodialysis patients who underwent hemodialysis at 2 university hospital. The data were collected by used the self-efficacy tool developed by Kim Ju Hyune(1995) and the self-care tool developed by literature review and indepth open openended questions to 10 patients. Also, the questionnaire in cluded phusiologic data which collected through review of the patients' charts. The statistical analysis was used the SPSS program for frequency, mean, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation. The results were as follows: 1. The mean score for general self-efficacy of hemodialysis patients was 3.103(1-4point) and there were significant differences according to perceived health. The mean score for specific self-efficacy of hemodialysis patients was 3.113 (1-4point) and there were significant differences according to perceived health, side effects and complications which related hemodialysis. 2. The mean score for self-care of hemodialysis patients was 3.822(1-5point) and there were significant differences according to marital status and economic level. 3. The relationship between general self-efficacy and self-care was a positive correlation(P=.000). The relationship between specific self-efficacy and self-care was a positive correlation(P=.000). In conclusion, this study revealed the level of self-efficacy and self-care, and the positive correlation between self-efficacy and self-care on hemodialysis patients. Therefore, intervention is needer to promote self-efficacy for self-care of hemodialysis patients. Considering the vulnerable self-care area same as checking blood pressure and weight, fluid restriction, social adjustment, exercise and rest, further studies should develop self-efficacy promoting programs for self-care of hemodialysis patients.
Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Renal Dialysis* ; Self Care* ; Social Adjustment

No abstract available.
Phototherapy*

No abstract available.
Blood Glucose* ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Infant, Newborn* ; Plasma*

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 protein is known to be one of putative envelope proteins. To develop a sensitive detection method for HCV infected tissues and cells, monoclonal antibodys (MAbs) to the E2 protein of HCV were prepared from mice immunized with recombinant baculovirus-expressing E2 protein (Bac-E2). Several hybridoma clones secreting various levels of MAb were isolated and isotypes of these MAb were determined. One clone (L.2.3.3) was used for ascites production and the E2-MAb was purified and characterized. The L.2.3.3 reacted well with both Bac-E2 and E. coli expressed glutathione-5-transferase-E2 (GST-E2) fusion proteins. Using HCV patient sera, E2 envelope protein was found to be localized in the cell membrane boundary both in CHO cells and insect cells which express HCV E2 protein. Similar result was obtained when same cells were treated with the MAb L.2.3.3. These results demonstrated that Bac-E2 protein is capable of eliciting high titer antibody production in mice.
Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Ascites ; Cell Membrane ; CHO Cells ; Clone Cells ; Cricetinae ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; Insects ; Mice

No abstract available.
Amniotic Fluid* ; Female ; Humans*

No abstract available.

This study was performed to compare the refractive effect and visual outcome of Excimer laser radial keratotomy(RK) with those of central photorefractive keratectomy(PRK) for myopia correction. The myopic eyes were subdivided into mild(-2.75D), moderate(-3.00 ~ -5.75D) and severe(>-6.00) myopia. In 54 eyes treated with RK 3 eyes(5.6%) were mild, 26 eyes(48.1%) were moderate and 25 eyes (46.3%) were severe myopic eyes. In 518 eyes treated with central PRK 10 eyes(1.9%) were mild, 214(41.3%) were moderate and 294(56.8%) were severe myopic eyes. Mean reduction of refractive power measured with skiascope following RK and central PRK in mild, moderate and severe myopia were 1.42 +/- 0.85D and 3.19 +/- 0.84D, 2.07 +/- 1.75D and 4.66 +/- 1.90D, and 2.54 +/- 2.45D and 7.54 +/- 2.81D, respectively. Mean reduction of keratometric diopter following RK and central PRK in mild, moderate and severe myopia were 2.00 +/- 1.05D and 3.66 +/- 1.03D, 1.90 +/- 1.05D and 4.83 +/- 1.99, and 1.52 +/- 2.54D and 5.58 +/- 3.46D, repectively. Uncorrected visual acuity following RK and central PRK in mild. moderate and severe myopia were 0.73 +/- 0.19 and 0.91 +/- 0.26, 0.43 +/- 0.30 +/- and 0.79 +/- 0.24, and 0.20 +/- 0.13 and 0.66 +/- 0.28, respectively. In conclusion, refractive effect and visual outcome of central photorefractive keratectomy was better than the those of radial keratotomy for correction of myopia; especially high myopic eyes.
Keratotomy, Radial* ; Lasers, Excimer* ; Myopia* ; Photorefractive Keratectomy* ; Visual Acuity

No abstract available.
Thyroglobulin* ; Thyroid Gland*